California Dreamin'

I can hardly believe it, much the less write it, but this will be my last blog entry on this amazing journey of mine. I've had a fantastic couple of days chilling with long time friends: Aaron, Kim and Eli in Seattle. Being here has helped me prepare for the journey home. I plan to take a week to drive from Seattle to the Bay and I want it to be me and the road home. So before I get into the finality of it, I want to tell you how much I have enjoyed writing this blog. Not only do I have a new found love of writing, but the more I hear that you've enjoyed reading it and traveling with me, the easier it is to share. And I needed to share with you...I needed to know you were out there. You've helped me focus on me (which is weird to say), to not be afraid of sharing my thoughts and voice my feelings. It's definitely been therapeutic for me...so thank you for keeping me going.

There is so much that I've learned and discovered on this trip, it's hard to put my feelings into words, but let's see if I can get it out :) Now that I've started learning more about myself, I am aware of my place in the world. But learning about other people's beliefs, culture and religion has given me direction, made me more understanding and increased my tolerance. I'm much more patient, but at the same time I am confident and powerful.

Although I'm nervous and, honestly, a little scared of coming home, I know good things await me when I get there...just as good things were awaiting out in the world. I won't lose perspective because I know what's important. I'll take chances because I know what it's like to be inspired and to be an inspiration.

I have met some incredible people on the road, but it didn't happen right away. I remember in the beginning, I barely spoke with anyone. I had to go inside myself and figure out what the hell was I doing and how I ended up here. And, I'll tell you, it was one of the toughest things I've had to do. But the reward is that I know what it means to have soul mates and I'm so lucky to have met a few men and women who will always be connected to my soul. In considering all these new connections and relationships, the thing that I admire most about myself is that I know how to be alone. So, very clearly from my body, heart and soul, I can tell you that I am finally happy.

I'm glad you've been with me to experience this life changing trip. I'm looking forward seeing you and hearing your thoughts about my journey and the changes I've made.

So keep the champagne chilled...because I'm finally coming home.

Vancouver, Canada

Who knew Canada had Thanksgiving?! Yeah, and it's tomorrow! So I'll get 2 Thanksgivings this year, lucky me. Zahra and Matt came up to Van for a quick holiday, which I'm super stoked about and we're going to fix a feast! I'm staying at my friend Al-Riaz's place downtown. Yet another long time homie, we met back in '92 when he lived in California. Crazy, I know. Anyway, Van is a super cool city, I feel very urban chic here. It's definitely a lifestyle city, as Al-Riaz puts it. People work to have a good time. Therefore it's not unusual to go out dancing on Tuesday night, which we did last week. The local gay bar had straight night, whatever that means. I couldn't tell. But fun nonetheless.


Van is yet another city I could live in. Surrounded by water on 3 sides, cute happenin' neighborhoods, very walkable, tons of outdoor activities...just up my alley, all except the Canadian part. LOL, ok, just kidding - sort of.


It's been pretty chill the last few days. I signed up for some yoga classes which have kicked my ass, walked around English Bay, checked out the view from my the 32nd floor roof top deck and have eaten ridiculously well. Not a bad way to wrap up a world wide tour. Yes, I did say wrapping up, as in the end of my trip is in sight. I'll be leaving for Seattle for a few days and then I'm going to drive back home. The plan is to take a week to drive down the Washington, Oregon and NCal coasts and be back in the Bay on October 26th. I know, take a deep breath...it's even a lot of detail and planning for me :) But, as I've told you before, even the best laid plans have a way of getting twisted around, so I can't make any promises, but I hope to see you soon.

Whistler, Canada

2 words - ZIP LINE!

Rez and I zipped through Whistler at 60km/hr on zip lines threaded throughout the trees in between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. What a rush! At first I was a little nervous, I mean who wouldn't be? Clicked onto a cable by a paperclip and then to willingly step off a platform 50m (at least!) above the forest floor. Yeah, I was a little nervous. But after the first zip, you think you're bloody James Bond, hanging upside down, spinning around Look, ma...No hands! It was so cool.

Whistler definitely made me miss home. Especially my girlfriends and our weekends in South Lake Tahoe! It's a super cute, fun, active village just like the village at Heavenly or Squaw Valley with tons of fantastic restaurants, bars, people watching patios and great, overpriced shopping. The weather, although rainy and cold, made for perfect autumn days. The leaves were changing color and the first snows of the season dusted the highest peaks overnight.

Rez and I bonded, again, and caught up on the last 10 years. We just picked up like it was yesterday. Funny how time and distance don't really effect relationships that are important to you. These special people never leave your heart because they've touched your soul. I feel very fortunate to have the friendships that I do...all around the world I've been looked after and thought of by my friends at home and the ones I've met along the way. And the great thing is that these relationships work without effort, whether I'm near or far, we are always connected.

Victoria, Canada

I'm in the Pacific Standard Time Zone! OMG, it's been great to be able to talk to my sister and friends and not have to calculate the time difference. See, it's the little things that make me happy.

So anyway, it was a very very teary good bye to my aunt...her and I are so similar, now all my weird quirks make sense. I'm so glad that I had a chance to spent 3 wonderful weeks with her. We had such a fabulous time. I haven't laughed that much, well, ever. We were like 2 giggly kids, with our inappropriate comments, and juvenile sense of humor. She's really the only one I can be like that with and I like it. It makes her that much more special to me.

I left for Vancouver at the crack of dawn on Tuesday, had a quick stop downtown to unload some of my pack (which has reached a ridiculous 31 lbs even after the shameful amount of stuff I sent home with Zahra), and then took the bus to the ferry and sailed over to Victoria to spend some time with my aunt and uncle on my mom's side. The ride over was stunning. Have you been anywhere in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle, San Juan Islands? It is breathtaking. I'm glad to be here in the fall...all the leaves are changing, the crowds are gone and it's very peaceful. Plus the weather has turned a little cool and it's nice to bundle up!

My Aunt and Uncle have a great place 10 minutes from quaint downtown Victoria. We've been doing a lot of walking around the waterfront, having lazy mornings and overall just relaxing. I'll be here for a few days before heading back to Vancouver to whoop it up with my long time friend, Rez, who's coming in from Atlanta. We've been friends for 20 years - damn, when you can reminisce in decades, well, you know you're not 10 anymore. He and I are also going to check out Whistler for a few days and I'm super excited, b/c it's somewhere I've always wanted to go. I am just squeezing out every last bit of fun on this trip that I can :)